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Groundwater Management and Hydrogeology

SRK Consulting has extensive experience in supporting mine development projects and effective development, management and protection of ground water resources.

Operating from a well established hydrogeological base, our specialist teams of geologists, hydrogeologists and geochemists undertake all aspects of ground water studies including scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies. We provide a range of services related to ground water quality and quantity including resource exploration. Ground water modeling specialists develop site specific conceptual and detailed models for the evaluation and prediction of dewatering, groundwater impacts and water supply.

We assist in the design and implementation of monitoring systems, including the selection and procurement of instrumentation. Routine sampling and monitoring services are available through experienced field technicians.

Feature Consultant

Dr. Vladimir Ugorets, Principal Hydrogeologist, has more than 35 years of professional experience in hydrogeology, developing and implementing groundwater flow and solute-transport models related to mine dewatering, groundwater contamination, and water resource development. Dr. Ugorets’ areas of expertise are in design and optimization of extraction-injection wellfields, development of conceptual and numerical groundwater flow and solute-transport models, and dewatering optimization for open-pit, underground and ISR mines.

Dan Mackie has over twelve years of experience in mining hydrogeology and water resources. Mr. Mackie specializes in hydrogeological characterization, design of depressurization, dewatering and groundwater management systems for open pit and underground mines, as well as water resource assessments. He has worked with multi-disciplinary teams on all phases of engineering study, environmental assessments and permitting for new or expanding mines. Mr. Mackie provides inputs to geotechnical and water management options assessment or design, including issue identification and risk assessment, dewatering requirements, management and mitigation options.

Feature project

SRK characterized the hydrogeology of a lithium-brine salar and coordinated the simulation of lithium production and resource dilution based on density-driven flow. We also completed a feasibility study, including assessing the options for fresh water supply.

SRK instrumented an underground karstic limestone mine burdened by high inflows during storm events. The measurement of flows quantified the correlation of inflow to amount of rainfall, leading SRK to identify the components of the water management system that could be optimized to reduce annual pumping costs by as much as 40%.

Client:

Ok Tedi Mining

Project:

Depressurization design, Ok Tedi, Papua New Guinea

SRK hydrogeologists and geotechnical engineers provided the program design, drilling and testing supervision, instrumentation design and installation, and assessment of the West wall pushback needed to increase the pit depth from 700 to 1200 m. During this difficult project, we overcame many logistical and drilling challenges.

SRK hydrogeologists and geotechnical engineers conducted hydrological characterization and analysis to determine optimum slope designs for a proposed open pit in an area of significant precipitation, runoff, and groundwater flow. Rock characteristics, glaciers, and discharge water quality conditions presented further challenges.

SRK conducted static and kinetic characterization of waste rock, installed monitoring wells, developed and implemented a baseline monitoring program, evaluated regional water quality/availability, and developed water resources.

SRK conducted detailed hydrogeological and geotechnical testing and assessment of ground and water conditions in three shaft pilot holes through the complex Athabasca sandstone formations. This entailed detailed hydraulic testing and the installation of multi-level instrumentation (the Westbay MP System) to a 700 m depth.

SRK developed innovative well construction methods in volcano-lacustrine strata to support feasibility predictions for the dewatering of block cave and open pit mines. Our work included core hole, underground, and production-well testing and numerical modelling over a 3-year period.

Feature Article

Designing Field Programs To Maximise The Capture Of Groundwater Data

A good understanding of mine water management issues related to underground and open pit mines depends on collecting a comprehensive hydrogeological data set.Read more...